PNSG 2030 Syllabus

Subject Code

PNSG

Course Number

2030

Course Title

Nursing Fundamentals

Prerequisites

ALHS 1011 with a grade of C or higher

Corequisites

PNSG 2035

Terms Offered

Offered Spring

Credit Hours

(4-6-6)

Course Description

This course provides an introduction to the nursing process. Topics include nursing as a profession; ethics and law; client care, which is defined as using the nursing process, using critical thinking, and providing client education and includes principles and skills of nursing practice, documentation, and an introduction to physical assessment; customer/client relationships; standard precautions; basic life support; infection control/bloodborne/airborne pathogens; and basic emergency care/first aid and triage. Students must pay a $321 supply fee when registering for this course.

Course Outcomes

Nursing as a Profession


Order


Description

1

Discuss the history of nursing.

2

Cite nursing organizations, membership requirements, and benefits.

3

Explain the basic steps of the nursing process.

4

Develop the parameters of critical thinking as it applies to nursing practice.

5

Describe the different levels of nursing.

6

Discuss employment opportunities for the practical nurse.

7

Understand the types of health care delivery services and agencies.

8

Describe the delivery systems of nursing care.

9

Describe the functions of members of the interdisciplinary health care team.

Ethics, Morals and Legal Implications


Order


Description

1

Discuss the role of ethics in nursing practice.

2

Explain the role of ethics and accountability in nursing practice.

3

Determine the requirements for Georgia practical nursing licensure.

4

Describe the sources for standards of care for nursing practice.

5

Recognize the legal implication of negligence.

6

Discuss regulations and implications relative to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA.)

7

Discuss the procedures for organ procurement, advanced directives, consents, release,
minors, etc.

8

Summarize the legal aspects of documentation.

9

Describe types of abuse across the life span.

Infection Control/Blood-borne/Airborne Pathogens


Order


Description

1

Differentiate the roles, standards and guidelines for the following agencies: Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA); and Federal Drug Administration (FDA).

2

Describe the characteristics of each link of the infection chain.

3

Define blood/air-borne pathogens.

4

Identify exposure risks related to health occupations.

5

Demonstrate pre- and post- exposure precautions to include handwashing, gloving (sterile/nonsterile, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

6

Describe causative agent, symptoms, occurrence, reservoir, mode of transmission, incubation period, period of communicability, prevention and control measures of the following diseases: Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, all types of Hepatitis (A,B,C,), Tuberculosis, Meningitis, antibiotic resistant microbes and Herpes Viruses.

Basic Emergency Care/First Aid and Triage


Order


Description

1

The student may  participate in a course from an accredited agency (American Safety and Health Institute, American Heart Association, American Red Cross) leading to certification in First Aid in lieu of the following recommended learning outcomes.

2

Perform initial assessment.

3

Demonstrate various techniques for control of bleeding.

4

Describe first aid for various types of shock.

5

Apply bandages and splints.

6

Describe assessment and treatment of burns, poisoning, seizures, insect stings/bites, heat and cold exposure, syncope.

Basic Life Support


Order


Description

1

Demonstrate certification in basic life support for healthcare providers (including 2 person CPR) by a certified instructor from American Heart Association; American Red Cross; or CPR-PRO For the Professional Rescuer from the American Health and Safety Institute.

Client Care


Order


Description

1

Demonstrate proficiency in obtaining and documenting blood pressure, temperature, pulse, respiration, weight and height.

2

Describe factors that affect vital signs including normal and abnormal values.

3

Demonstrate physical assessments.

4

Integrate concepts of infection control to include but not be limited to sterile technique, handling sterile equipment and supplies.

5

Explain physiological and pathological influences on body alignment.

6

Demonstrate the correct procedure for lifting.

7

Describe the various procedures for moving clients and assisting them with mechanical devices.

8

Demonstrate techniques for changing an occupied, unoccupied, and a surgical hospital bed.

9

Cite aspects of a safe environment.

10

Demonstrate techniques for bathing an adult, giving a back rub, and morning and evening care, assisting with activities of daily living including appropriate documentation.

11

Describe common foot and nail problems, their causes, and related nursing interventions including appropriate documentation.

12

Describe the major types of oral problems, their causes, and related nursing interventions including appropriate documentation.

13

Describe common hair and scalp problems, their causes, and related nursing interventions including appropriate documentation.

14

Describe techniques for cleansing and irrigating the eyes, ears, and nose including appropriate documentation.

15

Describe the physiological, psychological, and developmental effects of immobility.

16

Demonstrate appropriate nursing interventions for an immobilized client including documentation of these interventions.

17

Demonstrate use of restraints including documentation of their usage.

18

Discuss the causes, prevention, and treatment of pressure sores including appropriate documentation.

19

Demonstrate use of the nursing process.

20

Demonstrate assessment of an adult client including general appearance and mental functions including documentation of this assessment.

21

Demonstrate documentation of nursing care.

22

Demonstrate feeding adults including documentation of feeding.

23

Describe nutritional problems contributing to fluid imbalances including appropriate documentation.

24

Describe the characteristics of normal and abnormal urine and feces including documentation of these characteristics.

25

Demonstrate assisting a client with a bedpan, urinal, or bedside commode.

26

Demonstrate techniques for urinary catheterization including appropriate documentation.

27

Demonstrate techniques for administering an enema including appropriate documentation.

28

Demonstrate techniques for collecting urine and stool specimens including appropriate documentation.

29

Demonstrate techniques for bladder and catheter irrigation and catheter care including appropriate documentation.

30

Demonstrate measurement of fluid intake and output including documentation of these measurements.

31

Describe types of oxygen therapy.

32

Demonstrate use of oxygen therapy including appropriate documentation.

33

Demonstrate suctioning techniques such as oral, nasotracheal, and tracheostomy suctioning including appropriate documentation.

34

Describe airway management including aerosol treatments, chest physiotherapy, and pulse oximetry.

35

Demonstrate techniques for wound care including documentation of these techniques.

36

Demonstrate techniques for wound irrigation including appropriate documentation.

37

Demonstrate techniques for application of sterile dressings, bandages, and binders including documentation of these techniques.

38

Demonstrate techniques for applying hot and cold treatments including documentation of these techniques.

39

Describe perioperative nursing care including documentation of this care.

40

Demonstrate techniques for administering immediate postoperative care including appropriate documentation.

41

Demonstrate effective use of client care communication systems.

42

Demonstrate the use of therapeutic aspects of professional relations as relates to clients, family and the interdisciplinary healthcare team.

43

Describe the grieving process.

44

Integrate the orientation processes of healthcare agencies.

45

Discuss emotional and physical needs of the dying client including nursing care and the available support networks.

46

Demonstrate techniques for administering post-mortem care including appropriate documentation.